The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited has firmly denied any involvement in sabotaging the Dangote Refinery, emphasizing its substantial financial investment in the project.
Olufemi Soneye, NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, made this statement during an interview on the Bereke Family Radio Programme, which aired on YouTube on Sunday.
Soneye highlighted that NNPC has invested billions of naira in the refinery and holds a 7.2% stake in the 650,000-barrel-per-day petrochemical plant.
He argued that it would be counterproductive for NNPC to undermine a project in which it has a significant financial interest, stating, “We are part of the owners of Dangote refinery, and we will want it to collapse.”
Soneye further addressed claims made by Mr. Farouq Ahmed, head of Nigeria’s mainstream and downstream petroleum regulatory authorities, stating that Ahmed’s comments should not be attributed to NNPC.
He clarified that the regulatory body, not NNPC, has authority over issues related to the distribution of petrol and the oversight of refineries in Nigeria.
Soneye reiterated that NNPC has no conflicts with the Dangote Refinery and is fully committed to the success of the venture, dismissing any notions of sabotage as baseless.
In the same interview, Soneye explained the rationale behind NNPC’s decision to reduce its stake in the Dangote Refinery to 7.2%, redirecting investment toward Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) projects across Nigeria.
He cited the affordability and environmental benefits of CNG as driving factors, noting that Nigerians could fill their cars for as little as N10,000, making it a viable alternative energy source.
Soneye emphasized NNPC’s commitment to expanding CNG infrastructure, stating, “We see that for N10,000, Nigerians can fill their cars and use it for two weeks. We realize that gas is cheaper in Nigeria; why don’t we invest in it?”
